Hey Everyone,

Monday morning, I fly out to Wyoming. Actually, we will be spending the first two days in Salt Lake City visiting my friend Jeff and his partner. After that, we will be in Yellowstone. We will be doing things a bit differently than in past years.

The first is that we will have three camera systems to be working with. Leica and Olympus both will be sending cameras along. I really (REALLY REALLY REALLY) wish that I was able to get the new 300 F2.8 and converter for my Canon to go along with it.

Most of the time, we will be in Jackson Hole, though two nights we will be staying in Moran, about 10 miles from the Visitor's Center at Oxbow Bend. That will be great, because we will shave off about an hour of travel in the mornings in order to jockey with the 100 or so photographers waiting for first light. :P

LOL, I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!

James

OK, OK, rub it in ! Even LensRentals.com is saying they won't have the 300 F2.8L in until 9/23 so I think you're out of luck on that. On the other hand, you're gonna have a lot of other stuff to haul around!! Have a great trip and I can't wait to see some images.

Jim

Hey Jim,

Thanks, that is very useful info. My other big gripe is not knowing what the MAP will be for the lens. I am getting indications from people I trust that the lens may be more expensive than the prior model. We shall see.

James

James, Im just gonna trhow this out to you.

Have you considered going where all the photographers are not?

Its always cool to hit the common spots. Its such a huge wilderness...I would consider avoiding the hot spots and spending more time discovering. Thats just me. Discovery is part of the wonder of landscape photography....and wonder shows through in the end result.

Have a very safe and fruitful trip.

Roman

Hey Roman,

100% agreed! However that typically does not happen on our Yellowstone trips. The Yellowstone trip is one that my family goes on every year. Usually it is a boys trip, bit this year Chanthee is joining us. My pop's mobility is a bit limited because of his eyesight, so we typically hit the classic locations. The Wyoming trip is more about process than product - though I had better be ready with those cameras. .

When i try to escape the common is when I head out by myself or with a small group ala Steve Kossack (for example, I am heading out with him in March to Death Valley. Speaking of which, I think he still has room for a couple). I love DV for that reason...the opportunity to get unique material is much easier. It is harder in YS/GT for those reasons, but the trip is just as important (if not more so) fir the same reasons.

I would go and spend hours in YSNP even if I had no camera. On the last trip, I spent 3 days by myself working on business items in JH. It was great because when I was not working, I was by myself...very by myself.:)

James

Welp, the Oly came in tonight. What an adorable little camera!!!! I am charging the battery now. I really wish the 150-300 were available. Thayer would be one tiny, easy to hand hold package.

I am thinking that for my location here in the city, it is a nearly perfect camera. While not quite small enough to fit in my pocket (w a lens), it is really close. It could easily fit in my ipad's bag.

James

I am anxious to see the images you make this trip. Have a wonderful time.

My niece will be getting married there next Oct. If you had a relative that was getting married there would you use one of the local photographers to shoot the wedding or would you fly someone in? (knowing you would be a guest not the shooter)

I know a very competent person out there if you would like me to put you through to him. There is also a really good cake company out there as well. I did a wedding out there a couple of years back and had an absolute blast. Where are they getting married? Also, have you thought about where the reception will be?

Cheers
James

That would be great - hopefully a website will tell her what your friends work is like. I would love to have any info to pass on (like the name of the cake people). I am not sure of the name but it is little cabin like village like accommodations. (ha, not totally filled in yet LOL)

Thought about flying a friend of mine out there since he and I have shot weddings together and I think he would not mind if I did stick my two cents in with my own work. I will be there for her and her mom so wearing too many hats is not a good idea My biggest concern is getting equipment there safely - do you rent or travel with or ship ahead.

Thanks for any input you have.

Hey Everyone,

Well - I am off in the morning tomorrow. We have been going nuts getting ready. I went to B&H this morning first thing and thought that I was about to get the new 300 F2.8 (as they told me it was in stock). It turned out that they thought I was referring to the Nikon.

I was told by a salesman that they expect a MAP of 7,000. This is similar to what I have heard from other people in the know. If that is true, then I will probably pick up the first generation lens. It is incredibly sharp - and 2500 less.

James